With everything else that's going on - world football returning to action after a global pandemic and all - the question 'who will Newcastle sign this summer?' isn't quite on the tip of everyone's tongue.
If the Magpies are to seal a £300m Saudi-based takeover, however - despite the Premier League's piracy concerns - they will rapidly become one of the richest clubs in English football.
I wrote about Newcastle's takeover for @90min_Football a few days ago. There might be more room for nuance if the point wasn't so straightforward: this takeover should not happen. https://t.co/am4MGbpIYx
— Chris Deeley (@ThatChris1209) April 21, 2020
And with their wealth in waiting comes a list of transfer targets ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, briefly stopping somewhere near 'realistic' along the way.
Coming up with an exhaustive list of the players linked with the Tyneside revolution is no easy task, given the sheer volume of names carelessly thrown into the frame, but we've done our best to bring them all into one place, so you can...erm, get excited?
Kai Havertz
This, regrettably, is a thing that has actually been reported.
No assessment required - except to say 'no.'
Chance of actually signing for Newcastle: 0/10
Donny van de Beek
Again, no.
Chances of actually signing for Newcastle: 0.5/10
Kalidou Koulibaly
Well, it's a little better, but not much.
Napoli are open to negotiations over Koulibaly this summer. Unfortunately for Newcastle, so too are PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Even with a slashed price tag of £75m, this one seems dubious.
Chances of actually signing for Newcastle: 2/10
Philippe Coutinho
According to Marca, Barcelona see Newcastle as one of their last chances of raising a decent fee for Coutinho, after Bayern Munich decided against activating an option to buy.
The player is 'pleading' for a move back to Liverpool, but 90min understands the Reds have no interest in giving him one. It may be up to him to decide whether Newcastle, and the risk of never playing European football again, offers sufficient consolation.
Chance of actually signing for Newcastle: 3/10
Gareth Bale
The story that was cheered ironically all over the country, given how brazenly predictable it was from the minute Newcastle's takeover came to light.
Newcastle seem to be the favourites almost by default - they would be the only club with enough money to make a deal happen, yet unhinged enough to steer towards Bale, rather than away from him.
Real Madrid won't be arsed, they'll take what they can get, and Bale does seem desperate for a move away - though he has handled himself with far more professionalism than the Madrid press would have you believe.
Chances of actually signing for Newcastle: 4/10
Edinson Cavani
If you ever wanted proof that reality is in fact a simulation, consider that we've got a list of Newcastle transfers ranked on likelihood, and Edinson Cavani - 200 goals for PSG Edinson Cavani - is coming in at mid-table.
He is reportedly looking for any new club to match or better his PSG salary. Whether that works for or against the Magpies remains to be seen.
Chance of actually signing for Newcastle: 4/10
Ross Barkley
The single blandest transfer rumour of all time, though Chelsea's 6,000 central midfielders mean they probably wouldn't baulk at a halfway decent offer.
Chances of actually signing for Newcastle: 5/10
Andreas Pereira
It's nice to see some normality shining through the chaotic haze; even without an illustrious takeover hanging over the club, Pereira just exudes 'Newcastle signing.'
The Magpies reportedly have competition from Everton and West Ham for the midfielder, who has so far made a career out of doing not very much at all.
Chance of actually signing for Newcastle: 6/10
John Stones
90min have understood since May that home-grown players will be a priority in the Saudi owners' first window, and that Stones is understood to be a defensive target with that in mind.
That information was reinforced by a Telegraph report claiming that he and Barkley have been lined up by Rafa Benitez as potential targets, if he returns to the club.
Clearly it's a substantial step down for the England international, and Manchester City won't be too keen to let him go considering they are light at centre-back even as things stand. A good offer, though, and City may well be open to shuffling their pack.
Chance of actually signing for Newcastle: 6/10
Odsonne Edouard
❝❞ @Oedouard22 is delighted to have been named the @Dafabet #CelticFC Player of the Year, and he praised his team-mates and the Paradise faithful for their part in him winning the accolade.#CelticPOTY ?⚪️
— Celtic Football Club (from ?) (@CelticFC) June 11, 2020
The Celtic striker's form in securing their ninth successive Premiership title was astonishing. 21 goals in 27 league appearances won him the golden boot - comfortably - while six goals and five assists in 13 European matches showed he can do it on the big stage too.
He's a remarkable talent of the required pedigree, and would represent a far smarter signing than some of the others listed - though it remains to be seen whether 'intelligent business' is the new owners' bag.
Chance of actually signing for Newcastle: 7/10
Xherdan Shaqiri
Quality Premier League player, in the prime years of his career, out of favour at a major club, looking for a logical step back in order to take two forward.
Just seems to fit, doesn't it?
Liverpool are open to letting Shaqiri go, likely for a modest profit on the £13m they paid for him in 2018, while the player himself is reported to be keen on the move in order to get back playing first-team football.
Chance of actually signing for Newcastle: 8/10
Salomon Rondon
Here he is.
Try as they might, Newcastle haven't quite been able to replace Rondon since the Venezuelan snubbed the chance to make his loan permanent and head to China alongside Benitez.
Injury troubles have stopped him from fully hitting the ground running at Dalian Yifang, but he would be welcome back with open arms at St James' Park after hitting 11 league goals for them in the 2018/19 season.
Rascal that he is, speaking late last month, he even hinted at a potential return, when asked about his long-term future.
“There was a lot of talk about what happened at Newcastle with the purchase of the Saudi group, there are a lot of rumours about the interest, but you have to wait," he said. "My present at the moment is in China.
“I have worked very well with Rafa for a year and a half. But you have to wait and see what happens. I would not look badly on a return to the Premier League,"
Chance of actually signing for Newcastle: 9/10
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Source : 90min